Chat With A Ninja: Nathan Carins
This article first appeared in the July 2026 edition of the SSG Multisports newsletter.
Since joining SSG in 2018, Nathan Carins has been a dedicated and highly valued member of the club. As President of Moreton Bay Cycling Club he played a key role in building our successful partnership with MBCC, regularly posting ride schedules and helping many Ninjas discover the joy of group riding. Always positive, organised and up for an adventure, here is his chat with us.
1. How did you first discover SSG Multisports and the Suttons Beach swim group?
Upon relocating back home from Canada in 2018, we stayed at Komo Redcliffe and I was keen to meet people and join a swim club. Seeing swimmers in the bay, I went along to find it was Suttons Swim Group at that time. After meeting the earlier group of SSG swimmers, I was hooked and have been with the club since.
2. What first drew you to open water swimming and triathlon?
I began competitive swimming at a young age, really enjoying all ocean water sports since that time, especially skiing, surfing, scuba diving, etc. Whilst living in Canada, I also became involved in road cycling and triathlons, doing the open water swims in the lakes. Was keen to continue that journey back here in Australia.
3. You served as Moreton Bay Cycling Club President and were instrumental in building the partnership, regularly posting ride schedules and getting SSG members out on the bike. What did you enjoy most about helping Ninjas discover group riding?
It was great to see the Ninjas getting amongst the MBCC club road rides, as there are various groups and riders could select the best option for their skill level or challenge. It’s really nice to see two local clubs riding together, larger group riding dynamics and enjoying the “mandatory” café visit afterwards! Additionally, there were some off-road rides, which resulted in a bit of fun in the mud. This club relationship still exists today, and I think it would be good to grow it again.
4. How do you bring discipline and focus from your professional life into your training and racing?
Working as an aeronautical engineer in the aviation industry is highly regulated and procedural. The engineer in me likes to see a structured approach, training calendar workbooks, plus a Garmin/Strava/TP data-driven analysis to follow!
5. With your busy work schedule, how do you balance everything while still making time for training and club events?
Work/life balance is also an essential part of my day. Predominantly working at home these days, I regularly use training to kick off my day or as a sanity break. My family is also super-disciplined in their own training, so that keeps me in check as well!
6. Do you have a favourite memory from racing or training with SSG so far?
One of my favourite memories in the club was the Qualm swim (Shorncliffe to Suttons Beach) in 2021, being my first 10km+ swim. Such a fun day with the group of ninjas and support crew to take on the challenge. Really enjoyed the training prep, longer group swims through to the event day.
7. Outside of swimming and triathlon, you enjoy some serious motorbike adventures. What draws you to those rides, and do you have any favourite trips or stories from the road?
Off-road enduro motorbiking has certainly been in our family for a long time. It’s an activity we regularly did with my sons as the boys’ camping trips away, when they were young and even now. A memorable riding adventure for myself was a three-week Cairns to Cape York return trip. We planned and executed it successfully, bringing a number of technical terrain and mechanical challenges.
8. What do you love most about being part of the SSG community?
I love the informal friendly camaraderie between the team, whether it is at a morning swim, post-swim coffee or event/race. Plus, it’s such a great group to be involved with, super supportive and motivational.
9. What advice would you give to newer Ninjas who are just starting their open water swimming or triathlon journey?
Whilst structured training is important, remember also to plan in activities that build personal motivation, enjoyment and bonding with the team. This could include other-discipline activities, whether being surfing, mountain biking, trail running etc. Also, train with as many different people as possible, they’ll keep you honest and on your game.
10. Is there anything else you would like fellow SSG members to know about you or your experience with the club?
I also recalled my first experience with the infamous swimming “ninjas”, who may be a rare sighting these days, but don’t underestimate them, they silently swim up and attack when you least expect it!
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